Omaha daily bee., 1887-11-12

sherln began reading. commencing III low |
voice, scarcely audible five feet away, he |
slowly and carefully pronounced every separ-
ate word. As the reading progressed he
gradually assumed his natural tone OF voice,
and, not stumbling or making an error, read
from beginning to end. Not syllable was
uttered by any one but the sheriff and no
other sound but his voice was heard save the
subdued ticking Of the telegraph instruments
few feet away. Spies listened carefully to
all that was said, but his face did not
change for an instant during the reading
through. 1t occupied at least four minutes.
When Sheriff Matson finished Spies looked at
him a moment steadily, but without malevo-
lence, and then said, sententiously:
"Sheriff, you are now about to commit a
judicial murder"
He said nothing more, but stepped quickly
from his cell threshold, giving himself to be
pinioned and then TO be hidden in one of the
snow white shrouds, of which the deputy
carried an armful. Spies, while being bound,
was seen to be dressed in pair of dark
woolen trousers and shirt of light grey
flannel, fastened at the throat with tiny red
cord. His feet were encased in a pair of EN-
broidered slippers A fresh beard was grow
ing on his chin, and his light curly
his watch from his pocket he handed it to
the deputy, requesting him to deliver it to his
mother. A strong leather belt was then
passed around his body, securely fastening
his arms straight down to where pair of
bright nickle-pated manacles behind him
fastened his wrists together A moment
later his body was completely enveloped in a
shroud, loosely gathered about his neck.
The sheriff next addressed Adolph Fischer,
who was even more Indifferent than Spies at
the formaity. Like Spies he told the sheriff
that it was judicial murder. Fischer had his
slouch hat on, but he removed it as
he stepped out of his cell. He
was neatly dressed in a blue flannel shirt,
| new dark breeches and had been shaved but
| a few hours before. He nodded to Spies in a
| pleasant menner and asked him in German
| how he felt. Spies smiled good -naturedy
| and replied that he felt first-rate.
Engel heard the reading Of the death
warrant with stolid indifference and did not
| utter single word of comment. A few min
| utes later while standing beside Spies and
| Fischer, he said:
"Welllr
AS if to inquire their feelings.
Spies and Fischer replied by smiling cheerily
| and nodding. Before their arms were pin
| ioned all of the men shook hands with Jaer
| Folz and the deputies surrounding them, all
| of whom they had become acquainted with
during their many months confinement.
Parsons warrant was read last. He seemed
| to have nervcd himself up to great tension
| and had nothing to say in reply. Like Engel
| he was clad in full suit of black dress
| clothes, even to Prince Albert coat. He
| stepped lightly from his cell when the read
| ing was finished, but drew back invountarily
| at the sight of the three ghostly looking fig
| ures bound and shrouded before him. Again
| he stepped out, now with look of defiance.
"Bnd me tlght," he said, "and be sure to
make no mistake" but the deputy complied
too we'll. Parsons had him reach under the
| shroud and ease one of the straps.
"That's BETTER" he remarked with smile.
"Now / am ready"
THE MARCH TO THE GALLONS.
Forming in double file, each of the four an
archsts side by side with deputy, were
| now headed east and started for the gallows.
| A stop ut the iron door of the cages was
made for chance to turn their heads in the
| direction of the second gallery of the Jail and
| bid good bye several times to Schwab and
| Fielden, receiving broken, gutteral farewell
| salutes in return. Here again spiritual con-
| ISOLATION was offered by Rev. DR.. Bolton, now
| for the last time. A sarcastic smile lit up the
| faces of all four men as they resumed their
tread along the corridor and turned slowly
INTO the dark east angle, disappearing like
ghosts up the steps of the gallows.